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Within a sunny microclimate created by the Austrian Alps and the Adriatic Sea, you'll find Collio in Friuli. This are crafts delicious, high acid wines, like this Pinot Grigio. High toned citrus notes of lemon zest, lime, with amazing minerality and aromas of white flowers, you can almost feel the mountain breeze if you close your eyes. Bright, mouthwatering acidity to refresh your palate. Pairs well with life.
(Holding the #1 spot)
Complex, lush and full-bodied with rich black fruit and spice. A touch of dusty blackberry and nice grip at the finish partially due to over a year in oak. Watch out, Napa!
Amalfi coast lemons have few seeds, minimizing the bitterness, while the lemon itself is bursting with sweet and sour flavor. The lemons are fermented and steeped in a mixture of natural sugar and alcohol for at least 20 days. Lightly toasty lemon poppy seed muffin aromas lead into almost a lemon sherbert character with a light lemon zest note. Somehow it finishes quite clean with a mineral and pepper tone.
The porron wine pitcher is a festive way to serve wine. Either use as a decanter or just pick up the porron and tilt it so that a thin stream of wine pours directly into your mouth! It takes some skill, but it is fun at a party to see how well you and your friends master the technique. Each porron holds 1 liter, which is a perfect size to hold a bottle of wine.
Along the Loire river you'll find Saumur. Cab Franc dominates the red plantings and we can see a prime example with this bottle. Perfumed floral aromas, dark cherry, forest floor and mineral. Gorgeous mouthfeel and smooth tannic structure. Bright acidity making this wine an easy drinker.
Wine geeks know of Gigondas and Vacqueras that show off Grenache like no other. Bordering both is Beaumes de Venise which is known for fortified Muscat. On a steep hillside (at 1500 ft!) twin sisters Sabine and Isabelle make this earthy, spicy blend of Grenache, Syrah and Counoise. A gorgeous wine.
A slightly different and wonderful lighter take on Priorat. The gorgeous blue slate show immediately on the nose, Carignan is there but with richness and elegance. Really pretty and an homage to the fruit. Gorgeous leather and blue black fruit flavors with spice and soft leather. Organic, hand picked and just 9 months in French, this really is a lovely wine!
